Few Succeed Alone: Frances Lynch on Mentorship and Women’s Equality in Law

On August 26, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, a time to reflect on progress made and the work that remains toward achieving gender equity in the legal profession. Despite growing numbers of women entering law school, leadership roles within law firms and professional organizations remain disproportionately occupied by men. For women trial lawyers, the journey can feel isolating without strong mentors and peers to lean on.

That reality is exactly why firm-founding attorney Frances Lynch of Bache Lynch Goldsmith & Mendoza, PLLC, along with colleagues Cristina Perez Hesano and Ronda Kelso, helped establish Women of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, a committee within the Arizona Association for Justice dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and support for women attorneys across the state.

What began as a modest monthly Zoom meeting called Cases and Coffee quickly evolved into a robust statewide network. Today, the group provides:

• Mentorship opportunities that connect women at different stages of practice.
• A free document bank to share resources that make trial preparation more efficient.
• Continuing Legal Education programs led by women attorneys.
• A women-only listserv that facilitates open discussion, advice, and resource sharing.

The group’s growth underscores the power of mentorship in law. As highlighted in YourValley.net, women who have access to structured mentoring relationships are more likely to gain high-profile opportunities, have reduced feelings of isolation, and remain in the profession long-term.

Frances has long championed mentorship as a cornerstone of professional development and ethical practice. By co-founding this initiative, she continues to create pathways for women to share experiences, build confidence, and thrive in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field.

This community is more than a network — it’s a model of empowerment. Women uplifting one another fosters collective growth, strengthens the profession, and ensures that the next generation of trial lawyers is supported from the start.

To read the full article featuring Frances Lynch’s work in this effort, visit YourValley.net.

If you’re a woman in law looking for community and support, we invite you to connect with us and learn more.